NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL - News) today announced it has reached an agreement to assume direct control of its wholesale and retail distribution in Southeast Asia from its licensee, Dickson Concepts International Limited, beginning January 1, 2010. Dickson Concepts International Limited will continue to operate as the Company’s licensee in the region through December 31, 2009. The Company’s Southeast Asia region is comprised of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

“Today’s announcement represents a significant strategic step for our Company as we continue to develop our business globally,” said Ralph Lauren, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The appetite for our brand and products in Southeast Asia is strong and growing, and we expect to build on the momentum by reinforcing our luxury lifestyle positioning and elevating our distribution in the region.”

“Southeast Asia is a dynamic, emerging market with incredibly strong growth characteristics,” said Roger Farah, President and Chief Operating Officer. “We are grateful to Dickson Concepts for enabling us to establish Polo Ralph Lauren as a premier lifestyle brand throughout the region over the last two decades, and we look forward to working closely with them on a smooth transition. The work we will undertake to develop Southeast Asia is similar to what we’ve done successfully in Europe and are currently executing in Japan. With control of our distribution, we intend to leverage our world-class managerial, marketing and merchandising capabilities to deliver significant revenue and profit growth over the long term.”

Dickson Concepts International Limited currently distributes Polo Ralph Lauren product through approximately 40 freestanding locations and nearly 100 shop-in-shops throughout Southeast Asia.

ABOUT POLO RALPH LAUREN

Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL - News) is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For more than 40 years, Polo's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Polo by Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren Collection, Black Label, Blue Label, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, RRL, RLX, Rugby, Ralph Lauren Childrenswear, American Living, Chaps and Club Monaco, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. For more information, go to http://investor.ralphlauren.com.

This press release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company contain certain "forward-looking statements" concerning current expectations about the Company's future results and condition, including revenues, store openings, gross margins, expenses and earnings. Actual results might differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to materially differ include, among others, changes in the competitive marketplace, including the introduction of new products or pricing changes by our competitors; changes in the economy and other events leading to a reduction in discretionary consumer spending; risks associated with the Company's dependence on sales to a limited number of large department store customers, including risks related to extending credit to customers; risks associated with the Company's dependence on its licensing partners for a significant portion of its net income and risks associated with a lack of operational and financial control over licensed businesses; risks associated with changes in social, political, economic and other conditions affecting foreign operations or sourcing (including foreign exchange fluctuations) and the possible adverse impact of changes in import restrictions; risks associated with uncertainty relating to the Company's ability to implement its growth strategies or its ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses; risks arising out of litigation or trademark conflicts, and other risk factors identified in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:

Polo Ralph Lauren
Corporate Communications
Julie Berman, 212-583-2262
or
Investor Relations
James Hurley, 212-813-7862